Service Updates & Upcoming Public Holidays – w/c 16th January

Here you will find the latest UK & global service updates and a list of upcoming worldwide public holidays. This is updated throughout the week with latest information available.

UK Service Updates

Normal deliveries & collections of mail should be made in most parts of the UK today.

International Service Updates

Albania – Delays of up to a week are likely for some items posted after 14th December. This is due to the civil service and airport workers strikes in Athens having a rolling impact on the mail items going through Athens airport for delivery in Albania, Armenia and Cyprus as well as for items being delivered in Greece. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/12/16)

Armenia – Delays of up to a week are likely for some items posted after 14th December. This is due to the civil service and airport workers strikes in Athens having a rolling impact on the mail items going through Athens airport for delivery in Albania, Armenia and Cyprus as well as for items being delivered in Greece. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/12/16)

Australia – Australia Post have informed us that the union within representing staff within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and the Department of Agriculture, has announced protected industrial action between the 26th of September and the 9th of October. The strike action will lead to delay on the receipt of all inbound mail, as the border clearance process will be delayed when the staff walk off. There can also be impact on items held for clearance.

UPDATE:We have been informed that the above strike, originally scheduled to end on 9th October, has been extended until 16th October. Ongoing (issue start date: 26/09/16 – updated 07/10/16)

Australia – We have been advised that severe weather in South Australia has been affecting the collection and delivery of all mail products since 28th September. Delays to mail delivery may occur in the affected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 28/09/16)

Austria – We have been notified that Klagenfurt Airport (KLU) closed to all air traffic on the 12th September for essential runway maintenance work. The reopening is planned for 4 October. The delivery times of mail sent to Austria may be affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 12/09/16)

Bangladesh – Recently, Bangladesh Customs have witnessed an increase in the number of wrongly declared shipments. This has led the Bangladesh Customs to scrutinise each and every shipment, which is causing delays in the release of all shipments including mail. Ongoing (issue start date: 03/01/17)

Bermuda – The Bermuda Post Office has informed us that its postal operations have been suspended since 12th October 2016 as a result of the adverse weather conditions associated with the imminent passage of Hurricane Nicole. This has affected Bermuda Postal Service’s ability to send, receive and deliver mail to and from other countries by at least 48 hours. Ongoing (issue start date: 12/10/16)

Botswana – For the past week, since Monday 28th November, Botswana post has been experiencing issues with IT systems. This resulted in delays for both inbound and outbound processing. This issue has now been resolved and all services are fully operational. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/12/16)

Brazil – The designated postal operator of Brazil has informed us that the delivery of letter post mail is experiencing delays due to customs control and industrial action in Brazil. Delays are to be expected.

Canada – There may be delays to items being accepted at the Toronto Office of Exchange, this is because of high volumes at the centre from the recent snow storm. Additional support has been implemented and Canada Post is ensuring items enter the delivery network as quickly as possible. Ongoing (issue start date: 16/12/16)

China – China Post have informed us that owing to unprecedented volumes of parcels imported into Shanghai and Guangzhou, there are currently a number of issues with China Customs, resulting in large backlogs in their facilities. These problems are compounded by the high delivery volume within China, resulting in delays in mail delivery. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/07/16)

Cyprus – Delays of up to a week are likely for some items posted after 14th December. This is due to the civil service and airport workers strikes in Athens having a rolling impact on the mail items going through Athens airport for delivery in Albania, Armenia and Cyprus as well as for items being delivered in Greece. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/12/16)

Ecuador – Due to the recent major earthquake in Ecuador, delays are expected in mail services.Ongoing (issue start date: 16/04/16)

France – We have been informed that a project to modernize the air traffic control center in Bordeaux is taking place from 17th November to 30th November. This is expected to cause flight delays at southwestern airports, impacting flights arriving and departing from Biarritz, Bordeaux, Nantes, Pau, Tarbes, and Toulouse airports. This could affect mail delivery services.Ongoing (issue start date: 17/11/16)

Germany – The designated operator of Germany, Deutsche Post, has advised the heavy congestion of all inbound, outbound and transit airmail items at Frankfurt Airport due to the recent Lufthansa pilots’ strike and service limitations imposed by that airline, and extremely heavy peak volumes. Please note that service delays are expected.Ongoing (issue start date: 15/12/16)

Greece – Delays of up to a week are likely for some items posted after 14th December. This is due to the civil service and airport workers strikes in Athens having a rolling impact on the mail items going through Athens airport for delivery in Albania, Armenia and Cyprus as well as for items being delivered in Greece. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/12/16)

Guatemala – Owing to a dispute between the State and the mail delivery company Mail Guatemala there are delays in the delivery of mail in Guatemala.

UPDATE:Due to staffing and logistical issues, we have been informed that there is a temporary suspension of international mail services schedule for between the 21st November 2016 and 15th January 2017. As a result, none of our suppliers will be able to dispatch mail to Guatemala between these dates. Ongoing (issue start date: 13/06/16 – updated 9/12/16)

Italy – There may be delays in the delivery of mail affecting the following postcode areas, 02XXX, 06XXX, 63XXX and 67XXX. This is due to the earthquake on 24th August.

UPDATE: Further to the above, on the 27th October, some parts of central Italy were affected by an earthquake and consequently delays may occur to deliveries and collections in the 62XXX and 06XXX post areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 24/08/16 – updated 1st November)

Italy – We have been informaed that heavy snow may cause some delays in the delivery and collection of mail in the following areas: 60XXX, 65XXX, 71XXX, 75XXX, 83XXX, 85XXX and 86XXX. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/01/17)

Japan – Japan is strengthening their customs inspection of inbound mail as part of counter-terrorism measures. Therefore, Japan Post has requested all items containing goods are accompanied by the required documents. Please attach a customs declaration form to postal items containing goods, and provide accurate information on the contents for customs declaration. Failure to comply with this request could lead to delays or the return of mail items sent to Japan. Ongoing (issue start date: 29/03/16)

Japan – A powerful earthquake hit northeastern Japan triggering a series of tidal waves and a small tsunami along the coast which also hit the Fukushima region. Delays in mail delivery services are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 22/11/16)

Peru – An earthquake hit southern Peru causing numerous buildings to collapse and roads to be blocked in the Arequipa region. The quake caused damage throughout the Colca Valley and several areas have been cut off. Mail and parcel delivery delays should be expected in the affected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 08/08/16)

Portugal – The Portuguese federation of workers’ union (civil servants) has announced it is going to strike on the 18th November. This could result in delays in mail delivery services. Ongoing (issue start date: 18/11/16)

Romania – We have been informed that deliveries and collections in the following areas may be delayed due to heavy snowfalls: 120XXX, 620XXX, 800XXX, 810XXX, 820XXX, 900XXX, 910XXX and 920XXX. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/01/17)

Russia – There is currently a temporary embargo on Russia from most suppliers as most airlines are no remaining capacity. We have been informed that this has been the case since the end of November and delays should be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/12/16)

Saudi Arabia – It has been advised that, with immediate effect, Saudi Arabian Customs has introduced some changes for all Non-Document shipments sent to Saudi Arabia. All B2C shipments that contain materials other than documents/printed matter will require the Consignee’s ID number. Where this is not provided, the parcel may be delayed in clearing customs until the ID number is obtained from the consignee. All B2B shipments of non-document materials will require a Commercial Registration Form from the consignee. This will be requested from the consignee when arriving in the country and upon receipt of the form, the parcel can be cleared through customs. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/04/16)

Taiwan – Super Typhoon Meranti has caused a landslide South Eastern China and Taiwan. As result of this all mail operations will be affected in South East China and Taiwan for the foreseeable future. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/09/16)

Thailand – We have been informed by Thailand Post that heavy rain and flooding in the southern part of the country are having an impact on mail operations and transportation, resulting in delays in the delivery of letter post, parcels and EMS items throughout the provinces and regions affected. The following postcode areas are affected to a greater or lesser extent by floods: 77xxx, 80xxx, 84xxx, 85xxx, 86xxx, 90xxx, 92xxx, 93xxx, 94xxx and 96xxx. affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 13/12/16)

USA – We received confirmation from the USPS on 21st November that since the start of October, mail/parcels entering the US through Chicago has been subject to specific checks from US Customs and Border Protection. This is leading to delays for some items whilst they are checked by the relevant agencies and this process could lead to delays upto 7 days. Whilst most mail enters the US through New York JFK, some items may be affected. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/10/16)

USA – We have been informed that the USPS JFK mail processing facility in New York has been experiencing significant volume increases over the last month or two. As such, some delays may have been experienced in the processing and onward dispatch of mail entering the US via New York. As this is the main entry point for mail sent to the US, this has the potential to affect most USA bound mail items. With Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas approaching, mail volumes are likely to increase further. Therefore, please allow for the possibility of delays until further notice. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/10/16)

USA – We have been informed that due to heavy snowfall and a storm system moving eastward from the west coast, some delivery routes have been affected and delays may occur. Ongoing (issue start date: 05/01/17)

Yemen – All mail services to Yemen have now been suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/03/15)

Zimbabwe – The designated operator of Zimbabwe, Zimpost, is currently experiencing IT-related issues which have been affecting the performance of the IPS system since August 4th resulting in delays to international mail. Ongoing (issue start date: 04/08/15)